Security system

ABSTRACT

A security system in which maximum security is provided by obviating the use of keys and also by making operation by a trial and error technique or by detection devices impossible. In the disclosed embodiment a circuitry is in combination with a mechanism having a shaft which can be rotated by the user to different angular positions which are indicated by suitable indicia and has two rotors mounted thereon, each of which has a spring which drives a ratchet wheel only when its corresponding rotor is turned in a particular direction, the ratchet wheels each being engaged by a pawl spring which allows it to rotate only in the particular direction in which it may be driven by its corresponding rotor. The directions in which the ratched wheels may be rotated by the respective rotors are opposite and one of the wheels has all but one of its teeth electrically conductive so that a current passing from the rotor, its spring, and through its corresponding wheel and pawl spring will energize a time delay mechanism which will operate to prevent the actuation of a latch release mechanism unless that rotor is turned to bring the nonconductive tooth against the pawl spring, the other wheel having all but one of its teeth nonconductive so that rotation of the rotor to bring the conductive tooth against a corresponding pawl spring allows current to pass from that rotor and wheel and through the associated pawl spring to a solenoid to energize a mechanism which will thereby permit actuation of the latch release mechanism.

Unite States atent [72] Inventor Arthur Marquis Losey 8 Carey St., East lsllp, N.Y. 1 1730 [21] Appl. No. 781,177 [22] Filed Dec. 4, 1968 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 [54] SECURITY SYSTEM 7 Claims, 18 Drawing Figs. I

[52] 11.8. 317/ 134, 340/164, 200/42, ZOO/61.39, 200/167 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05b 49/00, HOlh 27/00, HOlh 3/16 [50] Field ofSearch 317/134; 340/149, 164; 307/115 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,436,809 3/1948 Joel, Jr. 317/134 X 3,475,932 11/1969 Germanton 317/134 X Primary Examiner Lee T. Hix Attorneys-John E. Wilson and Kenneth 1-1. Murray 'ziz ABSTRACT: A security system in which maximum security is provided by obviating the use of keys and also by making operation by a trial and error technique or by detection devices impossible. In the disclosed embodiment a circuitry is in combination with a mechanism having a shaft which can be rotated by the user to different angular positions which are in- .dicated by suitable indicia and has two rotors mounted thereon, each of which has a spring which drives a ratchet wheel only when its corresponding rotor is turned in a particular direction, the ratchet wheels each being engaged by a pawl spring which allows it to rotate only in the particular direction in which it may be driven by its corresponding rotor. The

directions in which the ratched wheels may be rotated by the respective rotors are opposite and one of the wheels has all but one of its teeth electrically conductive so that a current passing from the rotor, its spring, and through its corresponding wheel and pawl spring will energize a time delay mechanism which will operate to prevent the actuation of a I latch release mechanism unless that rotor is turned to bring the nonconductive tooth against the pawl spring, the other wheel having all but one of its teeth nonconductive so that rotation of the rotor to bring the conductive tooth against a corresponding pawl spring allows current to pass from that rotor and wheel and through the associated pawl spring to a solenoid to energize a mechanism which will thereby permit actuation of the latch release mechanism.

PATENTEU we] 7 I9?! SHEET 3 BF 7 n W flflfi w 4 E 7 J, WM 9 W W m a 2 R 6 w 2 U H A W 5 A M w f 4 FIG.8

ATTORNEY PATENTEU AUG! 7191:

SHEU H []F 7 INVENTOR. v A RTHU/E' MA/PMl/S L 055) PATENTEBAUGI 7m: $600,843.

' sum 6 or 7 IN VENT OR.

ATTORNEY ART/ UR MARQUIS 056' Y SECURITY SYSTEM BACKGROUND or Th s INVENTION As society becomes more complex and more affluent, the need for better security systems becomes more acute. This is especially so with the rise in the general educational level because-the criminal of today can avail .himself of greater technical knowledge and therefore a better ability to analyze security devices and procedures instituted for protection.

In general security systems are used to prevent access to a repository or other enclosure and/or operation of a control such as a valve or switch. There are many systems in use today which provide far greater security than a lock which may be operated by one or more keys or by any one of a number of suitable keys. For example, a repository or control may be provided with several locks, each of whichmust be operated to gain access or control and each of which must be operated, in many cases in proper order, by means of a particular key. In such a system, each authorized person is given one of the keys so that access to the repository or operation of the control is not possible without the employment of all the keys.

The above example is but one of the less sophisticated methods of providing more security than can be had with a conventional single key system. It does not overcome the problems of lost, misplaced, or at hand availability of all the keys and it requires the cooperation of a plurality of persons if it is to be effective. A requirement that more than one person consent to access ro operation of control makes the system unwieldy because it is often difficult to congregate the key holding persons when access to the repository or operation of the control is desired. The most obvious disadvantage of such a system then is that it does not have the flexibility to be used by one individual and yet provide adequate security.

Perhaps the most common type of sophisticated security system is the completely mechanical combination lock. Such systems, however, often can be successfully operated through trial and error or by certain detection devices."

Electrically operated locks have been devised but these too are operable by trial and error techniques or with the aid of electrical and/or sonic instruments which indicate the nature of the electrical or mechanical activity within thelock and thereby make unauthorized operation possible.

SUMMARY oF'rnE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages found in the prior art as pointed out above. Accordingly, a security system is provided with means which may be electrically energized to give "control of that which is secured, a release switch adapted to energize said control means, a spoiler relay normally preventingsaid release switch from energizing said control means and a spoiler switch adapted to be opened to deenergize'said spoiler relay and permit energization of said control'means by said release switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows mounted on apanel; a dual rotary switch made in accordance with the present inve ntionand components in a circuit therewith which is set up, in accordance with the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is a side view partly in section of the dual rotary switch of FIG. I mounted on the pahel and taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the dual rotary switch of FIG. I mounted on the panel;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view partly in section and taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded enlarged side viewpartly in section of the dual rotary switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view taken substantially along the line' 6-6 of the FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a view in section taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 8; 7

FIG. 11 is a view partly in section taken substantially along the line 11-11 ofFlG. 5;

FIG. 12 is a view with parts broken away taken substantially along the line12-12 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a view taken substantially along the line 13 -13 of FIG. 5:

FIG. 14 is a side view partly in section of the dual rotary switch of FIG. 1 showing the position of parts at times when it is being used;

FIG. 15 is a detail view of several of the parts shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 14; 1

FIG. 16 is a view partly in section and partly broken away of one of the rotary switches of the dual rotary switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a view partly in section and partly broken away of the other rotary switch of the dual rotary switch of FIG. I; and FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an electric rotary dual switch which is used in the embodiment of the present invention which is described herein by way of example and not limitation. It is indicated generally as 50 and isshown connected to four conductors or wires 52, 54, 56, and 58. purpose of the conductor 58 is to supply current to the switch. The'purpose of the conductor 52 is tofprovide'a return for an illumination bulb which, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, is for the convenience of the person using the rotary. switch 50. Each of the conductors 54 and 56 are supplied current from one of two switches within the dual rotary switch 50.

As shown best, perhaps, in FIGS. 2 and 5, the rotary switch 50 has a dial knob cover 60 which can be rotated by the user about the axis of a pin 62 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to expose a dial knob whichas will appear presently, is rotated to operate the dual rotary switch 50. The pin 62 is fixedly secured to the cover 60 at an ear 61 on one side thereof as shown in FIG. 3 and extends through a sleeve 64. As shown in FIG. 6, the pin 62 has a head 66 on the outer end which overlies the ear 61 of the cover 60 and by which the pin 62 is secured to the ear 61. At the rear of the pin 62 is a washer 68 which is held from rearward movement by a snap ring 70 and which holds a return spring 72 against a front plate 74. The return spring 72 may simply urge the pin 62 and thus the cover 60 counterclockwise against a lip 75 (FIGS. 2 and 3) projecting outwardly from the sleeve 64 so that the user merely pivots the cover 60 in a clockwise direction to uncover the aforementioned dial knob and the cover 60 will, after use of the dial knob, return, under the action of the spring 72, against the projection 75. Alternatively, the return spring 72 may bias the cover 60 into two detent positions, one being against the lip 75 and'the other in a position uncovering the dial knob.

The sleeve 64 fits within the front plate 74 and has about its outer surface threads 76 which are engaged within a nut 78 which holds the ring within the front plate 74. The dual rotary switch 50 may be secured to a panel 80 which may be a part of a door, for example, the exterior of an automobile door, or the door of a safe, filing cabinet or any other repository. In this regard a gasket 82, which is preferably of an elastic or soft material, is positioned between an annular flange 84 on the outer-end of the sleeve 64 and the panel 80. The nut 78 may be tightened to assure that the dual rotary switch 50 will be securely mounted to the panel 80 and the gasket 82 will be firmly grasped measure that no moisture or dirt can enter the dual rotary switch 50.

After pivoting the cover 60 in the manner described above theuser will expose a dial knob 86 (FIG. 2) which is rotated to operate the switch 50 and which is preferably splined as at 88 about its end portion to provide the user with a convenient grip for manually performing the rotation. In order to position the dial knob 86 outside of the sleeve 64 to enable the user to grip it, the user merely pushes inwardly against the dial knob and then removes his finger to permit the dial knob 86 to snap outwardly. The structure which makes this possible includes an integral shaft 90 having a thick section 91 which extends inwardly from the dial knob 86 to a reduced diameter portion 92 thereof which extends inwardly to an end portion 94 which in turn extends inwardly to a threaded-portion 96. The end portion 94' and the threaded portion 96 are within a threaded retaining nut 98 which is as the dial knob 86 and its shaft 90 made of a conductive material such as steel.

Mounted on the reduced diameter portion 92 of the shaft 90 are two rings 100 and 102, which have radially extending flanges 1'04 and 106 respectively. Between the flanges 104 and 106 is an annular collar 108 having outwardly projecting nubs 1 10. The rings 100 and 102 are insulated from the reduced annular portion 92 by an electrically nonconductive sleeve 112 and from the threaded sleeve 98 by an electrically nonconduc tive washer 114.

inwardly of the nubs 110 is a track member 116 which is shown best, perhaps, in FIG. 15, and in the exploded view of FIG. 5. The track member 116 has a bore 117 into which projects the retaining nut 98. The surface of the bore 117 is coated with a dielectric to insulate the track member 116 from the retaining nut 98. The track member 116 has lugs 118 which fit within slots 120 (FIG. of a frame member 122 in order to assure that the track member 116 is secured against rotation. The track member 116 is secured against rotation. The track member 116 has an annular track 124 which consists of a plurality of bevelled portions 126 and straight segments 128 which extend longitudinally of the shaft 90.

On the other side of the nubs 110 is a track member 140 which is also shown well in FIGS. 5 and 15. It has an annular flange 142 having a hole 144 which receives a pin 146 which extends from a flange 148 of the frame member 122. The pin 146 assures that the track member 140 is held against rotation. The track member 140 has an annular track portion 150 which includes a plurality of slots 152 and an equal number of pockets 154 which are positioned between the slots 152. When the knob 86 is in its inner position, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the nubs 110 is positioned in a pocket 154. When the operator pushes his finger against the dial knob 86 the shaft 90 moves inwardly as do the rings 100 and 102 and the collar 108. As a result, the nubs 110 are pushed against the track member 116 at the bevelled portions 126 and travel along the bevelled portions 126 to rotate the collar 108 about the rings 100 and 102 until the nubs 110 contact the straight segments 128. Consequently, when the user removes his finger from the dial knob 86, the nubs 110 are aligned with the slots 152 on the track member 140 and will be moved outwardly to the ends of the slots 152 by a spring 160. The efiect is to move the knob 86 outwardly to the position shown inFIG. 14.

The spring 160 is compressed between the ring 102 and the track member 116. In this regard the track member is pro vided with an inner collar portion 162 and an outer collar portion 164 which portions are connected by a flange portion 166. The inner and outer collar portions 162 and 164 and the flange portion 166 define an annular groove 168 into which the coil spring 160 extends and by which the coil spring 160 is retained in compression against the ring 102.

The track member 116' is retained against the frame member122 by a casing 170 which is prevented from rotating about its axis by a tab 171 which is engaged within a keyway as shown in FIG. 2. A screw 172 has a forwardly extending pin 176 which passes through a vertical flange portion 178 of the casing 170 and into one of several holes 180 in the vertical flange portion 148 of the frame member 122. A snapring 182 bears against the flange portion 178 and fits within an annular groove 184 in a member to be described in detail infra, to secure the casing 170 and frame member 122 from rearwar movement.

It has already been explained that the conductor 58 supplies current to the switch 50, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the wire 58 has a ring 200 which is secured to the casing 170 by a bolt 202 threaded therein so that the casing is energized by current from the wire 58. The current then saturates the track member 116 and to assure this, spring biased brushes 204 bear against a flat washer 206 held on the track member 116 by a conical spring washer 208 and snapring 210. Because the bore 117 of the track member 116 is coated with a dielectric, current from the conductor 58 will not pass into the shaft through the track member 1 16 and retaining nut 98, however, it will pass to the ring 102 through the spring 160 which contacts the track member 116 at the groove 168 and the ring 102 on a side thereof. This energizes the ring 100, annular collar 108 and nubs 1l0and annular conductive element 214. Current will not pass to the shaft 90 because of the nonconductive sleeve 112 which is placed between the rings and 102 and the reduced diameter portion 92 of the shaft 90 and because of the electrically nonconductive washers 114. When, however, the operatorpushes inwardly against the dial knob 86 and then releases his finger to cause the shaft 90 to snap out wardly, under the action of the track member 116 on the nubs in the manner explained above, an annular conductive element 214 is pushed by the ring 100 against the side 218 of a rotor 220, as shown best perhaps in FIG. 14, to energize the rotor 220. Thus, the conductive element 214 and side 218 of a rotor 220 form the terminals of a main switch. It will presently appear that the rotor 220 forms a part of one of the two switches of the present dual rotary switch 50. When the conductive element 214 contacts the rotor 220, the rotor 220 and the shaft 90 areenergized since the shaft 90 passes through and contacts the rotor 220. The shaft 90 must, however, be slidable with respect to the rotor 220 so that by necessity the two parts are not tightly secured together. The rotor 220 will not rotate on the shaft 90, however, because of a dowel 222, which extends inwardly from the dial knob and through a hole in the rotor 220. The structural details of the rotor 220 will be described presently.

Before describing the manner in which the operator turns the dial knob 86 to operate the present security system the present means for indicating the angular position of the dial knob 86 and the shaft 90 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2, Sand 14, and from the front in FIG. 7, the rotary switch 50 is provided with an indicator plate 224 which is circular and essentially thin in cross section except for a central hub portion 225 which has a hole 226 through which passes the shaft 90. The indicator plate 224 has several smaller holes 228 positioned radially outwardly from the hole 226 to accommodate the dowel 222 to assure that it will rotate in unison with the shaft 90. The indicator plate 224 has about its periphery a plurality of evenly spaced indicia 230 such as letters of the alphabet as shown in FIG. 7. The operator can observe the indicator plate through a lens 232 which may be a magnification lens and which is mounted in the front plate 74 by means of a resilient sleeve 234. The visibility is enhanced by two light bulbs 236 and 238, which are mounted inwardly and to either side of the lens 232. The light bulbs 236 and 238 are mounted in a generally C-shaped holder 240 which is seen best, perhaps, in FIG. 6. The holder 240 has a conductor shoe 242 which bears against the indicator plate 224. Since the outward movement of the shaft 90 energizes the shaft 90, as pointed out above, and the indicator plate which is in contact with the shaft 90 is itself a conductor, current will pass through the conductorshoe 242 to the bulbs 236 and 238 and then out through .the return wire 52 and eventually to the negative terminal of a battery B. Thus, when the operator pushes inwardly against the dial knob 86 and it subsequently pops outwardly, the bulbs 236 and 238 will be illuminated so that observation through the lens 232 will show a particular one of the letters 230 and thereby indicate the angular position of the shaft 90.

The rotor 220, as already explained forms a part of one of the two switches of the present dual rotary switch. This switch is the one which permits a locking latch to be released and is therefore termed a release switch 244 and the rotor 220 is termed the release rotor. It is shown by itself in FIG. 13 and has a main body portion 246 through which passes a centrally disposed circular hole 250 and'a series of holes 252 which are spaced equally from each other and on equal radii of the hole 250. In FIGS. 2, 5 and 14, only one dowel 222 is shown extending from the dial knob 86, but any numberof such dowels could be provided. As long as one dowel 222 is provided, however, and it extends through one of the holes-252, the rotor 220 will rotate with the dial knob 86 and the shaft 90.

The release rotor 220, which is shown by itself in FIG. 13,

includes a metal rotor spring 258 which is generally spiral in configuration and which fits within an annular groove 260 about the periphery of the main body portion 246. The metal rotor spring 258 has an end edge 259'and a sharp bend 262 which separates the major curved portion of the spring 258 from a straight end portion 264. The straight end portion 264 is gripped between a spring retainer 266 which is secured to the rotor 220 by a screw 268. In order that the periphery of the release rotor be substantially circular, the spring retainer 266, is in effect, a chordal segment of a circle and the main body portion 246 of the release rotor 220 is the remaining portion of that circle. The spring retainer 266 and the main body portion 246 abut in a plane and the straight end portion 264 of the spring 258 is held between the main body portion 246 and the spring retainer 266 at that plane. Preferably, the spring retainer 266 has a straight groove 270 into which the straight portion 264 of the spring 258 snugly fits.

The release rotor 220 fits within a release ratchet wheel 280. The release ratchet wheel 280 is shown by itself in FIG. 12 and the release rotor 220 is shown fitted within the release ratchet wheel 280 in FIG. 16. The release ratchet wheel 280 has an annular groove 282 about its inside diameter. The outside diameter of the ratchet wheel 280 is characterized by a series of teeth 284, each of which has an inclined portion 286 and a more or less radially extending abutment surface 288. Each 'of the teeth 284 is treated so that it is nonconductive to electricity. This may be accomplished by certain available chemical or electrochemical processes or by coating with a nonconductive material such as "Teflon." The ratchet wheel also includes one electrically conductive tooth having an electrically conductive bevelled surface 289 and a radialsurface. A pin 290ywhich projects into the groove 282 extends outwardly to the outer periphery of the release ratchet 280.'The pin 290 has an inclined surface 292 which forms a portion of the bevelled surface 289. The bevelled surface 292 is, as the rest of the pin 290, electrically conductive but electrical contact exists between the rotor 220 and the ratchet wheel 280 through the rotor spring 258, at any rate.

The release rotor 220 may be inserted in the release ratchet 280 merely by pushing the outwardly'protruding portion of the spring 258 inwardly, aligning the release rotor 220 within the ratchet wheel 280, and then allowing the spring to recoil outwardly to position the release rotor 220 as shown in FIG. 16. In that Figure, the end 259 of the spring 258 is shown abutting the pin 290, however, it is understood that the release rotor 220 may be rotated clockwise and the spring 258 willbe deflected radially inwardly to ride over the bottom of the pin 290. counterclockwise rotation of the release rotor 220, however, will, when the end 259 of the spring 258 abuts against the side of the pin 290 cause the release ratchet 280 to. rotate counterclockwise along with the rotor 220. In FIG. .16, the rotor 220 is shown mounted on the enlarged portion 91 of the shaft 90, and when the entire release switch .244 is assembled the release ratchet wheel 280 is positioned within a conductor ring holder 300. The conductor ring holder 300 .-which is shown from its side in FIGS. 2 and 5has a vertical wall portion 302 which has annular steps 304 and 306 to accommodate an annular insulator 308. The outer periphery of the vertical wall portion 302 merges with a sleeve portion 310 which has a forward section 312 having threads 314 on its inner surface which engage a threaded ring 316, one'side of which engages the peripheral marginal portion of the indicator plate 224. The

inner annular surface of the vertical wall portion 302 slidingly engages the outer periphery of the hub portion 225 of the indicator plate 224. The indicator plate 224 isalso engaged by the innermost edge of the sleeve 64 so that the indicator plate 224 is held against axial movement when being turned and when the shaft and dowel 222 snap outwardly in response to the exertion of an inward force on the dial knob 86 by the user. The sleeve portion 310 of the conductor ring holder 300 also has a rear sleeve portion 320 which has, at its rear edge surface 322, an indentation 324 into which snugly fits a pin 326 rigidly fixed to the flange 148 of the frame member 122 so that the conductor ring holder 300 is held against rotation relative to the frame member 122.

The rear sleeve portion 320 of the conductor ring holder 300 has secured toits inner annular surface a pawl spring 328 which engages the teeth 2840f the ratchet wheel 280, The pawl spring 328 preferably extends around the major portion of the circumference of the conductor ring holder and is curved at one of its ends 330 to provide continuous contact with the teeth 284 of the ratchet wheel 280. The pawl spring 328 does not actually contact the conductor ring holder 300 because of the presence of an annular insulator 329 between the pawl spring 328 and the inner surface of the conductor ring holder 300. The annular insulator 329 and the pawl spring 328 are both secured to the inner surface of the conductor ring holder 300 by means of one or more rivets 332 which bear against a backing strip 333 which in turn holds the pawl spring against the insulator 329. The rivets are themselves electrically insulated from the conductor ring holder 300 by the nonconductive grommets 334 which completely surround the portion of the rivet which passes through the conductor ring holder 300. The rivets 332 also pass through a conductor ring 336 and secure it to the outer surface of the conductor ring holder 300. The conductor ring 336 is insulated from the conductor ring holder 300 by an annular insulator 338 which is positioned between the conductor ring 336 and the conductor ring holder 300.

Since the release rotor 220 is electrically energized because of its contact with the annular conductive element 214 upon axially outward movement of the shaft 90, the user can energize the conductor ring 336 by rotating the dial knob 86 in the right direction to a preselected angular position. Thus, rotation of the dial knob 86 ha clockwise direction will impart rotation in the same direction to the release rotor 220 through the shaft 90-and its associated dowel 222, however, the end 259 of the metal rotor spring 258 will ride under the bottom of the pin 290. Rotation of the dial knob 86 in a counterclockwise direction, however, will cause the end 259 of the rotor spring 258 to abut against the side of the pin 290 and thereby cause the ratchet wheel 280 to rotate with the rotor 220. Rotation of the dial knob 86 also causes the indicator plate 224 to rotate since the dowel 222 passes through the central hub portion 225 of the indicator plate 224. Positioning the conductive bevelled surface 289 or the radial surface associated therewith at the end edge of the curved portion 330 of the pawl spring 328 will cause the conductor ring 336 to be energized because electrical continuity is established between the rotor 220 and the conductor ring 336 through the pawl spring 328 and the rivets 332. The user can align the ratchet wheel 280 so that the conductive bevelled surface 289 contacts the end edge of the curved portion 330 of the pawl spring 328 if he knows which of the indicia on the indicator plate 224 will show through the lens 232 when this condition is established. Moreover, current can be made to flow out from the rotary switch 50 through the wire 56 because the conductor ring 336 is in contact with the shoe 340 which is connected to the wire 56. The shoe 340 extends approximately over onehalf of the circumference of the conductor ring 336 and has each of its ends curved inwardly at 342 to contact the conductor ring 336. The shoe 340 is secured to an annular shield 346 which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 16 and 17. The shield 346 is also shown, and by itself, in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the shoe 340 is held on the inner surface of the shield 346 by means of a backing strip 347 which in turn is secured by rivets 348 and, as shown in FIG. 16, the rivets 348 are insulated from the shield 346 by the nonconductive grommets 350 which cover the portionof the rivets 348 which pass through the shield 346. As shown in FIG. 10, the outer rivet heads 352 are positioned in a washer 354 which is separated from the shield 346 by an insulator washer 356. As seen in FIGS. 8, 10 and 16, the shoe 340 does not actually contact the inner surface of the shield 346 because of the insulator ring 360, which is positioned between the shoe 340 and the shield 346. As shown best, perhaps, in FIG. 2, the wire 56 is connected tothe shoe 340 by means of a connector 361 which extends from the wire 56 and which has an enlarged head portion which bears against the shoe 340. The connector is insulated from the annular shield member 346 by means of an insulator grommet 362.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10, the shield 346 has an outwardly projecting flange portion 364 and, as shown in FIG. 8, the flange portion 364 includes several holes 366. Bolts 368 pass through these holes and through corresponding holes in the front plate 74 and also through a support ring 370 which is positioned between the shield 346 and the front plate 74 and which has a vertical wall section 372 having holes to accommodate the bolts 368. The support ring 370 also has an annular horizontally extending section 376 which, as shown best perhaps, in FIG. 2 engages at its inner surface the outer peripheral surface of the forward section 312 of the conductor ring holder 300.

It has already been explained that in the present rotary switch assembly 50, two rotary switches are provided and that they are each actuated by turning the dial knob 86 in a particular direction which is opposite to the direction in which the other switch is actuated. To this end a rotary switch which for reasons to appear presently may be called a spoiler switch 380, is positioned within the shield 346. This switch is axially spaced from and structurally similar to the release switch 244 described above. The spoiler switch 380 is shown as it is positioned within the shield 346 in FIG. 17. The enlarged portion 91 of the shaft 90 passes through a spoiler switch rotor 382 having holes 384 corresponding to and having the same'purpose as the holes 252 on the release switch rotor 220. Specifically, the dowel 222 passes through one of the holes 384 to assure that the spoiler switch rotor 382 turns with the dial knob 86 and the shaft 90. The spoiler switch rotor 382 includes a spring retainer 386 which clamps the flat end portion of a rotor spring 388 against the rotor 382 to retain it on the rotor 382.

As shown in FIG. 17, the spring 388 has one end portion which is spaced outwardly of the rotor 382 andwhich has an end edge 390. The rotor 382 is positioned within a ratchet wheel 392 which has an inner groove 393 to accommodate the rotor spring 388 and on its outer surface, a numberof electrically conductive teeth 394 and one nonconductive tooth 395. Each of the conductive teeth 394 has an inclined surface 396 and a substantially radial portion 398 which is also conductive. The ratchet wheel .392 is also provided with a pin 400 which extends from the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 392 into the groove 393 thereof. The pin 400 has a bevelled surface 402 which preferably is nonconductive and forms a part of the inclined surface 396 of the tooth 395.

The structural similarities between the spoiler switch 380 and the release switch of FIG. -16are apparent. There are, however, several dissimilarities, The rotor spring 388 is mounted differently than the rotor spring 258 of therelease switch so that its end edge 390 will abut againstthe side of the pin 400 when the shaft 90 and the spoiler rotor 382 are turned in a clockwise rather than in a counterclockwise direction. It is also to be noted that the teeth 394 on the ratchet wheel 392 have inclined surfaces 396, which are inclined in a different direction than are the inclined surfaces of the teeth 284 on .the ratchet wheel 280 of the release switch. The purpose of the difference in direction of the inclined surfaces 396 is to permit the spoiler switch ratchet wheel 392 to rotate ina clockwise direction and prevent its rotation in a counterclockwise direction. To this end a pawl spring 406 is provided on the conductor ring holder 300. The pawl spring 406, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, is spaced parallel to and forward of the pawl spring 328. It is secured to the conductor ring holder by several rivets 408 which bear against a backing strip 409 which in turn bears against the pawl spring 406. Each of the rivets 408 is insulated by nonconductive grommets 410 which pass radially through the conductor ring holder 300. The pawl spring 406 has a curved end portion 412 which curves inwardly and at its end edge rides against the teeth 394 of the spoiler switch ratchet wheel 392. The pawl spring 406 is insulated from the conductor ring holder 300 by an annular insulator 413 and, as shown best perhaps, in FIG. 5, the pawl springs 328 and 406 are separated from each other by an insulator ring 414 which extends vertically between them and their associated annular insulators 329 and 413.

A conductor ring 415 is secured to the outside of the conductor ring holder 300 by the outer heads of the rivets 408. The conductor ring 415 does not actually contact the conductor ring holder because an annular insulator 416 is placed between the conductor ring415 and the conductor ring holder 300. The conductor ring 415 and the annular insulator 416 are each respectively parallel to and axially spaced from the conductor ring 336 and the annular insulator 338 as shown in FIG. 5. The annular insulator 338 has on the side thereof closest to the dial knob 86, a radially projecting vertical wall portion 418 which separates and electrically insulates the conductor ring 336 and the conductor ring 415. The annular insulator 416 has on the side thereof closest to the dial knob 86 a radially extending vertical wall portion which assures that the conductor ring 415 does not contact the conductor ring holder 300. The annular insulators 338 and 416 and their respective associatedconductor rings 336 and 415 encircle the outer peripheral surface of the rear sleeve portion 320 of the conductor ring holder 300 which has a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the forward section 312. The differences of diameter are provided to allow the outer peripheral surfaces of the conductor rings 336 and 415 and the outer peripheral surface of the forward section 312 to define -a cylindrical surface. This feature permits easy assembly because the annular shield member 346 can be moved axially to the left from the position shown in FIG. 5, to the position shown in FIG. 2 without any interference.

The annular shield member 346has positioned on the inside thereof a conductor shoe 420 which has inwardly curved ends 422 which bear against the conductor ring 415. The conductor shoe 420 is insulated from the annular shield member 346 by an insulator ring 424 as shown best, perhaps, in FIG. 10. It can also be seen fromFIG. 10 that the conductor shoe 420 is parallel to and axially spaced from the conductor shoe 340 and that the two conductor shoes are insulated from each other by an axially inwardly projecting thickened end portion 425 on the insulator ring 360. The shoe 420 and its associated insulator ring 424 are secured to the inner surface of the annular shield member 346 by rivets 426 (FIG. 17) which pass through the annular shield member 346. The rivets have heads on both of their ends, the head on the inner end bearing against a backing strip 427 which in turn bears against the conductor shoe 420, the head on the outer ends each securing one of the washers 428 which may be made electrically conductive material. The washers 428 are each electrically insuthe rivets 426 over the portion thereof which lated from the annular shield member 346 by the insulator washers 430 which lie between the washers 428 and the outer surface of the annular shield member 346. The rivets 426 are insulated by the nonconductive grommets 432 which cover pass through the annular shield member 346. 1

- From the foregoing it should be apparent that when the spoiler switch rotor 382 is energized current will flow from it through the spoiler switch ratchet wheel 392, the pawl spring 406,'the rivets 408, the conductor ring 415 and to the conductorshoe 420 and since the conductor shoe 420 is in electrical continuity with the wire 54, current will be supplied to the wire 54.

The means by which continuity is established between the conductor shoe 420 and the wire 54 are shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, a connector 433 has an upwardly extending conductor 434 which has an enlarged head portion which bears against the conductor shoe 420. The conductor 434 is insulated from the annular shield member 346 by means of an insulating grommet 436.

It should also be appreciated that this current cannot be interrupted by turning the dial knob 86 in a-counterclockwise direction because the rotor spring 388 will ride under the pin 400 so that rotation will not be imparted to the ratchet wheel 392. Rotation in a clockwise direction, however, will bring the end edge 390 of the rotor spring 388 against the side of the pin 400 to cause the ratchet wheel 392 to rotate in a clockwise direction with the rotor 382. If such clockwise rotation is continued until the nonconductive inclined surface 396 or the radial surface associated therewith of the nonconductive tooth 395 is brought against the end edge of the pawl spring 406, current will not be able to flow from the ratchet wheel 392 to the pawl spring 406. The user, of course, knows when the current flow can be discontinued because the exact angular position of the rotor 382, and thus the dial knob 86 which will terminate the current flow through the pawl spring 406, corresponds to a predetermined indicium on the indicator plate 224. When this predetermined indicium is brought behind the lens 232 and into the users view by turning the dial knob 86, current flow through the wire 54 will be discontinued.

Enough structure of the rotary switch 50 has been explained thus far to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand how a user can push inwardly against the dial knob 86 to cause it to snap outwardly so that he can readily turn it. It is also apparent that such an operation will cause current to flow outwardly through the wire 54 but that none will flow out through the wire 56. Rotation of the dial knob 86 in a particular direction, in the case of the illustrated embodiment, a clockwise direction, until a preselected indicium appears behind the lens 232 will discontinue current flow through the wire 54. Subsequent rotation of the dial knob 86 in a counterclockwise direction until a preselected indicium appears behind the lens 232 will cause current to flow outwardly from the rotary switch 50 through the wire 56.

Thus the user, in order to operate the spoiler switch, to discontinue the flow of current through the wire 54 and operate the release switch to establish current through the wire 56 must turn the dial knob first in a given direction to a predetermined indicium and then in the opposite direction to another preselected indicium. It will be shown how these operations are used in the present invention to actuate a release latch so that the user can obtain access to the repository or other area or operate a control secured by the present system. lt will also be shown how, if desired the two switches must be operated successfully within a preselected short time to prevent actuation of the release latch by trial and error technique.

An electrical circuit which provides these features of operation is shown in FIG. 1, and schematically, in FIG. 18. In the following description of the illustrated circuit, current is said to flow from the positive terminal of a battery to the negative terminal in accordance with the conventional assumption. It is acknowledged that electrons, according to the most accepted theory, flow from the negative terminal causing current to flow toward the negative pole, but it will be appreciated that as long as either theory is applied consistently it will explain the circuit satisfactorily.

It is also to be appreciated that the wires of the preferred circuit could be replaced by any other suitable conductors and that other suitable components could be substituted for the relays, time delay relays, latch release mechanism, sound or signal generating device and other components of the illustrated circuit. For example, a generator could be substituted for the battery and function satisfactorily. Although the present system is described as employing direct current, it should be understood that it is not necessary that a direct current circuit be used. The word current is used here not only to denote a flow of electrons, but also to indicate a delta potential brought about by electrical continuity with the source of energy.

In FIG. 18, the rotary switch 50 is diagrammatically shown to illustrate how the components relate to the present electrical circuit. Thus, the light bulbs 236 and 238 are shown in parallel with each other and with the switch consisting of the conductive element 214 and side 218 of the release rotor 220. The conductive element 214 which, when the dial knob 86 snaps outwardly and engages the side 218 of the release rotor 220 is diagrammatically shown to illustrate its capability of using current in the wire 58 to energize the release rotor 220 and the spoiler rotor 382.

A current is present in the wire 58 because it extends from the rotary switch 50 to a junction 450 on an upper junction box 452 from which a wire 454 extends to a junction 456 of a lower junction box 458, which junction is connected by means of a wire 460 to a wire 462 which is connected to the positive terminal 464 of a battery B. Current flowing from the battery and through the wire 462 will proceed through the wires 460, 454 and 58 to the rotary switch 50. When the user pushes inwardly against the dial knob 86 and it springs outwardly, and as explained supra, causes current to flow through the light bulbs 236 and 238 and the'wire 52, return flow to the negative terminal 466 of the battery B is possible because the wire 52 leads to a junction 468 on the upper junction box 452 which junction is connected by a wire 470 to a junction 472 on the lower junction box 458, which junction in turn is joined by a wire 474, to the negative terminal 466.

When the dial knob 86 is positioned outwardly as shown in FIG. 14, effective operation of the release switch will cause current to flow through the wire 56, as already explained. The wire 56 leads to the junction 476 on the upper junction box 452 and from which extends a wire 478 which leads to a first relay which is a spoiler delay relay indicated generally as 480. The spoiler delay relay includes a pair of contact switches 482 and 484. The switch 482 is connected with the switch 484 so that they operate in unison. schematically, they are shown in FIGS. 1 and 18, as connected by a nonconductive link 486 which is pivoted at each of its ends to one of the switches 482 and 484. The switch 482 includes a contact 488 and another contact 490. The contact 490 on the switch 482, is shown abutting a contact 492 which is on one end of a wire 494 which leads to a second relay indicated generally as 496. Current flowing from the release switch and through wires 56, 478, the switch 482 and through the contacts 490 and 492 into the wire 494 will not pass through the relay 496 when the dial knob 86 is in its outward position. This is so because current coming from the spoiler switch through the wire 54 passes into a wire 497 joined thereto at a junction 498 in the upper junction box 452 and thereafter passes through a wire 500 through the actuating means of the spoiler delay relay 480 which is a coil 502 of the spoiler delay relay and a wire 504 to the wire 506 and through the actuating means or coil 508 of the relay 496. The current which thereafter flows out from the coil 508 to a wire 510 and a junction 511 on the lower junction box 458 to a wire 512, which extends from the junction 511 to the junction 472, passes through the junction 472 and then the wire 474 to the negative terminal 466 of the battery B. In passing through the coil 508, the current causes a switch 513 to be attracted to the right so that current in the wire 494 will go no further'than a contact 514 at the end thereof. If there were no relay 496, operation of the release switch would enable current to pass from the wire 494 to the wire 515 and then through a security switch indicated generally as 516, which is accessible to the user but only when the repository to be secured is open, and through a wire 518 connected with that switch. All the user would have to do to operate the latch release switch would be to push the latch release knob 522 to bring contacts 524 and 526 into engagement allowing the current to pass through a wire 528 and through a solenoid 530 which has a return wire 532, which leads to the junction 472 and its associated wire 474 leading to the terminal 466 of the battery B. Energization of the solenoid 530 causes a detent bar 533 to move to the right until an aperture 534 therein, is aligned with a pin 536. This alignment allows the pin 536 to move upwardly when the user slides a latch bar 538 to the right by means of a handle 540 mounted thereon. Movement of the latch bar 538 to the right allows a door 542 in which it is mounted to be opened with respect to a wall portion 544. The switch 520, solenoid 530, detent bar 533, pin 536 and latch bar 538 comprises a control mechanism which can be successfully actuated only when the spoiler and relay switches are operated in accordance with procedures which are explained below.

It has been shown that merely correctly operating the release switch will not permit the user to successfully operate the present security system. As pointed out supra, he must first successfully operate the spoiler switch within a short predetermined time and thereafter, operate the release switch. If the user presses inwardly against the dial knob 86 to allow it to spring outwardly and thereafter does not successfully operate the spoiler switch, current flowing through the wires 54, 497, 500 and then through the spoiler delay relay coil 502, and then to the negative terminal 466 of the battery B, by way of the wires 504, 506, the coil 508 and the wires 510, 512 and 474 will cause the spoiler delay relay 480 to operate within a predetermined period of time. When the delay coil 502 operates, it draws the contact 488 upwardly which causes the switch 482 to pivot in a clockwise direction, so that the contacts 490 and 492 separate to make operation of the release solenoid 530 impossible by means of the release switch. Operation of the delay coil 502 also causes the switch 484 to pivot to the left to bring a contact 584 on the end of the switch 484 into abutment with a contact 550 on the end of a wire 552. The wire 552 is connected to a wire 554 which is connected to a sound emitting device 555. The signal generating device 555 is connected to a wire 506 which is connected with the negative terminal 466 of the battery B through the coil 508 and the wires 510, 512 and 474. Pivotal movement of the switch 484 to the left causes current to flow through the signal generating device 555 because current from the positive terminal 464 of the battery B passes through the wire 462 and a third relay which is a delay relay indicated generally as 560, and which may be termed a despoiler delay relay through the wire 562 to the switch 484. Thus, we have a situation where the user has failed to successfully operate the present security system and a signal is generated to draw attention to his attempted operation. Once the spoiler coil 502 has operated even if the spoiler switch is subsequently operated successfully to discontinue current flow through the wires 54, 497 and 500, to the spoiler coil 502, the switch 482 will already have been thrown so that subsequent proper operation of the release switch will not be effective to energize the latch release switch 520 and current available from the positive terminal 464 of the battery B to the wire 462, will flow through the switch 484 and the wire 552 upwardly through the wire 554 and through the diode 570, and through the wire 500 and the spoiler 502 to the wire 504 and eventually to the negative terminal 466 of the battery B. in other words, discontinuing current through the wire-497, will not be enough to prevent a current flow to the spoiler coil 502.

Having once failed to operate the present security system successfully, there is, in the present embodiment, a method by which successful operation can be realized. This feature. is

desirable in the case of an authorized user, who, has not operated the present system a sufficient number of times so release switch brings current into the wires 56 and 478 and then into a wire 572, which is connected to a despoiler delay relay actuating means in the form of a coil 574. The current returns to the battery through a wire 576 which is connected to the other end of the coil. The coil 574 is a time delay coil and therefore will not function until a preselected time expires. Expiration of the time will cause a contact 580 of a switch 582 to be drawn upwardly and the switch to pivot about a pivot 584. This causes another contact 586 on the switch 582 to disengage with a contact 588 on the end of the wire 562. It will be understood, that the efiect of the actuation of the switch 582, will be to prevent current from flowing through the wire 562, the switch 484, the wires 552, 554 and the signal generating device 555. Since current flow through the coil 508 will also be interrupted, the switch 513 will pivot to the left to form a connection between the wires 494 and 515. The function of the despoiler coil 574 and the consequent discontinuence of current through the wires 552, 554, 500 and the spoiler coil502 will also permit the switch 482 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction so that the contacts 490 and 492 engage to allow current to pass through the wire 494, the relay 496 and the wires 515 and 518. The user can now push on the latch release knob 522 to bring the contacts 524 and 526 together to allow current to pass to the wire 528 and the release solenoid 530 and subsequently through the wires 532 and 474 to the negative tenninal 466 of the battery B. Operation of the release latch mechanism is now possible. It should be appreciated that in order to operate the present security system in spite of his failure to successfully open the spoiler switch within the predetermined time necessary to prevent the coil 502 from operating, it was necessary for the user to rotate the dial knob 86 in the correct direction and exactly far enough so that a preselected indicium appeared behind the lens 232. He then had to wait a predetermined time until the delay coil 574 functioned and all this time the signal generating device 555 was functioning to draw attention to the fact that he was attempting to operate the present security system. Thus, the user had to know the proper direction of rotation and the particular indicium to be brought into view behind the lens 232, as well as the time necessary to wait before he could operate the latch release mechanism. The cor rect perfonnance of these operations would not be possible unless the user was authorized and thus had the necessary information.

It should be noted that the relay 496 will preclude energization of the latch release switch 520 by the users closing of the release switch until the spoiler switch has been opened. This is so because until the spoiler switch 380 is opened, current will pass through the coil 508 so that the switch 513 is pulled away from the contact 514 which is connected to the end of the wire 494.

In the event that the user would attempt to actuate the latch release mechanism 520 before the expiration of the predetermined time necessary for operation of the despoiler delay relay 560, the contact 590 which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 18, as bridging the gap between a contact 592 on the end of the wire 576 and a contact 594 on the end of a wire 596 which leads-to the junction 511. This would prevent current from passing through the delay coil 574 so that actuation of the switch 582 would not occur and would also nullify the effect of any current which had already flowed through the delay coil 574 and brought it closer in time to actuating the switch 582.

One of the important features of the present invention, is a capability to afford the user any one of several degrees of security. Thus if the situation were such that the user wanted the present security system to be operable merely by operating the latch release switch 520, he would merely pivot the security switch 516 to the left. The effect of this would be to allow current to flow from the positive terminal 464 of the battery B through the wires 42.2, 460. 454, 598, the switch 516 to the wire 518 and through the contacts 524 and 526, the wire 528, the solenoid 530 and then to the negative terminal 466 of the battery B through the wires 532 and 474.

Pivoting the security switch 516 to the right makes available several degrees of security to the user. For example, if the user sets the spoiler switch in an open position by rotating the dial knob 86 in the right direction until the appropriate indicium appears behind the lens 232 and if the user should manipulate the dial knob 86 to open the release switch, all that is required to make the latch release mechanism 520 operative is to close the release switch. This is obviously a situation where the user requires a little degree of security as when a repository having something of a comparatively small value is secured or when other means of protection is in the vicinity. A greater degree of protection can be obtained by manipulating the dial knob 86 to close both the release switch and the spoiler switch so that merely opening the spoiler switch would permit operation of the latch release mechanism 520.

The greatest degree of security is present when the release and spoiler switches are positioned so that neither of them has the inclined surfaces 289 and 396 respectively, engaged by the cooperating pawl springs 328 and 406 as shown in FIG. 18, and the switch 516 is pivoted to the right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 18. Pushing in on the dial knob 86 and subsequently releasing it, will bring current to the rotors 220 and 382. The dial knob 86 is then rotated in a clockwise direction to bring the rotor spring 388 against the side of the pin 400 as shown in FIG. 17, so that the ratchet wheel 392 is rotated in that direction. Clockwise rotation of the dial knob 86 is continued until the inclined surface 396 is brought against the end edge of the pawl spring 406, to open the spoiler switch. This operation, if performed before the predetermined time in which the spoiler delay relay 480 operates, will permit the user to close the release switch and operate the latch release mechanism 520. In the event that the user finds that it is not possible to operate the latch release mechanism, he will know that he has made an error. He must then rotate the dial knob 86 in a clockwise direction until the indicium visible behind the lens 232 indicates that the spoiler switch has been opened. The dial knob 86 is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 16, until the indicium behind the lens 232 indicates that the release switch has been closed. After waiting the predetermined time necessary for the despoiler delay relay 560 to operate, the latch release knob 522 can be pressed to operate the latch release switch 520 so that the handle 540 can be effectively manipulated.

A lesser degree of security is obtained when both the release and spoiler switches are left in a closed position with the security switch 516 pivoted to the right. Here, the present security system prevents access, unless the following procedure is followed. After pressing the dial knob inwardly andconsequently allowing it to snap outwardly to bring current to the rotors 220 and 382, the dial knob 86 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. --l8, until the spoiler switch is opened. The release switch has been left closed so that current is available at the contact 524 because the contact 490 engages the contact 492 at the spoiler delay relay 480 and because the switch 513 engages the contact 514 at the relay 496.

A third degree of security is available by positioning the spoiler and release switches so that they are both .open. This will afford less security than when both switches are closed and much less security than when the spoiler switch is left in a closed position, while the release switch is left in a closed position, while the release switch is left in an open position. Here, operation of the latch release switch 520 is possible by performing the following operation. The dial knob 86 is pressed inwardly and then allowed to snap outwardly to bring current to the rotors 220 and 382. TI-Ie dial knob 86 is then rotated in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 36, until the indicium appearing behind the lens 232 indicates that the release switch is closed. The spoiler switch, of course, is already open so that current is available at the contact 524 and consequently the latch release knob 522 may be pressed to energize the solenoid 530 and thereby allow the handle 540 to be effectively manipulated. A still lesser degree of security is obtainable by leaving the spoiler switch open and the release 4 switch closed. Here, pressing inwardly on the dial knob 86 and allowing it to snap out, will send current to the contact 524 of the latch release switch 520 so that pressing on the knob 522 permits the handle 540 to be actuated.

It has already been explained that the security switch 516 can be pivoted to the left so that the contacts 524 and 526 of the latch release switch 520 are, in effect, connected directly to the positive pole 464, and a negative pole 466 respectively, of battery Here all that is necessary is to operate the latch release switch 520 and the handle 540 to release the locking mechanism. It is preferred that availability of current in the wire 518 will not in itself provide access. It is apparent that one could modify the latch release mechanism, which comprises the latch release switch 520, the latch release solenoid 530 and the elements 533, 536, 538 and 540 so that it could be used as a control mechanism to prevent operation of a secured control such as a valve or switch.

It has been shown how the present invention provides a security system which can provide one of several degrees of security at the option of the user. The user does not need a key to operate the present system but only knowledge as to the manner in which the dial knob 86 is snapped outwardly, the directions in which it is to be rotated and the indicium which must be made to appear behind the lens 232 by each of the turning operations. One of the reasons why the dual switch 50 is preferred is because of its capability of being adjusted to change the particular indicia which be known by the user. Such a feature is desirable, for example, when the user discovers or suspects that another person has become aware of the preselected indicia necessary to operate the switch 50 successfully or when a change has been made in the authorized persons.

To this end a stem 600, extends through the flange portion 364 of the annular shield member 346, the support ring 370 and the front plate 74 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The stem 600 is rotatable with respect to each of those members and has at its rear end a slot 602 to accommodate a screw driver or other suitable tool, for turning the stem 600. Fixed to the stem 600, to turn with it, is a pinion gear 606 which meshes with a ring gear 608 fixed about the outer annular surface of the forward section 312 of the conductor ring holder 300. Thus, if torque is applied to the stem 600 the pinion 606 will urge rotation of the conductor ring holder 300 as well as the frame member 122 since it is secured for rotation with the conductor ring holder 300 by the pin 327, track member 140 since it is secured for rotation with the frame member 122 by the pin 146 and track member 116 since it is rotatably secured to the frame member because of the engagement of the lugs 118 of the track member 116 in the slots 120 of the frame member 122. These elements are freed for rotation by turning the screw 172 to withdraw the pin 176 from its associated hole 180 to permit relative rotation between the frame member 122 and the casing 170. Rotation of the conductor ring holder 300 will cause rotation of the indicator plate 224 because one of the pawl springs 328 or 406 will be moving in a direction to impart rotation to its corresponding ratchet wheel 280 or 392 which in turn will drive one of the rotors 220 or 382 through a rotor spring. As long as one rotor is turned, the other rotor will be turned by the dowel 222 which will also turn the indicator plate 224. It should be noted that the relationships of the pawl springs 328 and 406 with respect to the ratchet wheels 280 and 392 do not change during this operation and that no matter which direction the stem 600 is' turned one of the rotors will be directly driven by its associated pawl spring.

It should be understood that rotation of the conductor ring holder 300, frame member 122, track member and the track member 116 will not impart rotation to the front plate 74, the support ring 370, the shield 346 or the casing 170. This is so because the support ring 370 and the shield 346 are secured with the front plate 74 by means of the bolts 368 and the casing is keyed to the shield 346 by the key 171.

The pinion 606 can be turned by a mechanic from the rear of the rotary switch 50 so that a user can stand in front of the switch and be the only one aware of what indicium is brought behind the lens 232 and as will be shown, this feature enables the user to instruct the mechanic without disclosing to the mechanic, what indicia will operate the present security system.

It should be noted here that rotating the conductor ring holder 300 will not in itself interrupt the electrical continuity between the pawl springs 328 and 406 and the wires 56 and 54 because the shoes 340 and 420 will continue to contact the conductor rings 336 and 415.

The preferred operation for changing the indicia which must be used to operatethe present rotary switch 50 is as follows. An ammeter is connected to each of the wires 54 and 56 to indicate current flow and thus whether the switch associated with the particular one of those wires is open or closed. Alternatively, an instrument for detecting when electrical continuity exists between either of those wires and the wire 58, can be used. The dial knob 86 is snapped outwardly and, assuming the indicium selected to operate the spoiler switch is to be set first, the dial knob 86 is rotated until that indicium appears behind the lens 232. The mechanic then turns the stem 600 until the instrumentation indicates that the spoiler switch is open. The user then turns the dial knob 86 in the opposite direction until the instrumentation indicates that the release switch is closed. The indicium which is visible behind the lens 232 at the time the release switch is closed, is the indicium which will operate that switch. If desired, the reverse order could be followed, that is, the indicium which corresponds to operation of the release switch could be set first by the mechanic and the dial knob rotated until the instrumentation indicated that the spoiler switch was open. Whatever order is followed, of course, the dial knob 86 must be rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 17, to open the spoiler switch and in a counterclockwise direction to close the release switch.

The indicia which operate the release and spoiler switches can also be changed by disassembling the unit and sliding the rotors 220 and 382 along the shaft 90 until the dowel 222 is no longer engaged within them.,Each of the rotors can then be rotated with respect to the shaft 90 to thereby change the indicium which corresponds to the operation of that particular rotor and switch. It is also obvious that a change in the direction of rotation of the release and spoiler mechanism can be effected by the removal of the rotor assemblies and remounting them such that their driving and detenting elements are reversed.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the above description relates to only one preferred embodiment of the present invention. it should also be apparent that many additions, deletions and substitutions of elements can be made in that embodiment without exceeding the. scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A security system for preventing unauthorized operation of a control mechanism comprising:

a latch release switch having a normally open switch connected to said control mechanism and a normally closed switch;

a source of electric energy;

. a manually operable, nonnally open, release switch;

a manually operable, normally closed, spoiler switch;

a manually operable main switch for simultaneously connecting said release switch and said spoiler switch with said source of electric energy;

a first relay, said first relay being a delay relay having switch actuating means and a pair of switches which operate in unison when actuated by said actuating means, said one switch of said first relay being normallyv closed, said other switch of said first relay being normally open so that when said actuating means opens said one switch, said other switch is closed, said actuating means being connected to said spoiler switch so that energy will pass from saidelectri cal energy source and through said actuatingmeans of said first relay when said mam switch and said spoiler switch are closed;

a second relay, said second relay having substantially no delay period and comprising switch actuating means and a switch, said actuating means of said second relay being connected with said actuating means of said first relay, said switch of said second relay and one of the switches of said first relay being connected together in series and with said release switch and said normally open switch of said latch release switch;

a third relay, said third relay being a time delay relay with a switch and switch actuating means, said actuating means of said third relay being connected between said release switch and said normally closed switch of said latch release switch the switch of said third relay being connected between said source of electric energy and the other switch of said first relay, said other switch of said other relay being connected between said switch of said third relay and said actuating means of said first relay;

the delay period of said first relay being selected so that current flowing through the actuating means thereof from said spoiler switch will cause said relay to be actuated before the time an unauthorized person could be expected to close said spoiler switch, the time delay of said third relay being comparatively long;

whereby when said main switch is closed said spoiler switch can be opened before the switch of said first relay is actuated so that said release switch can then be closed to permit energy to pass to said normally open switch of said latch release switch; through said one switch of said first relay and said switch of said second relay, but where, if said spoiler switch is not opened before said first relay actuates, said release switch can be closed to energize the actuating means of said third relay, so that, eventually said switch of said third relay will open to discontinue current flow through the other switch of said first relay to the actuating means of said first relay so that said one switch of said first relay closes to permit energy to pass from said release switch to said normally open switch of said latch release switch.

2. The security system defined in claim 1 wherein said switch actuating means of each of said first, second and third relays is a coil.

3. The security system defined in claim 1 further comprising a security switch connected between the switch of said second relay and said normally open switch of said latch release switch.

4. The security system defined in claim 3 further comprising a signal generating device connected on one side to said other switch of said first relay and on the other side to the actuating means of said first and second relays in parallel.

5. The security system defined in claim 4 wherein said signal generating-device functions by emitting sound.

6. The security system defined in claim 5 wherein said source of electric energy is a battery.

7. The security system defined in claim 6 wherein said release switch and said spoiler switch are rotary switches which can be operated only by rotating a knob to a correct position. 

1. A security system for preventing unauthorized operation of a control mechanism comprising: a latch release switch having a normally open switch connected to said control mechanism and a normally closed switch; a source of electric energy; a manually operable, normally open, release switch; a manually operable, normally closed, spoiler switch; a manually operable main switch for simultaneously connecting said release switch and said spoiler switch with said source of electric energy; a first relay, said first relay being a delay relay having switch actuating means and a pair of switches which operate in unison when actuated by said actuating means, said one switch of said first relay being normally closed, said other switch of said first relay being normally open so that when said actuating means opens said one switch, said other switch is closed, said actuating means being connected to said spoiler switch so that energy will pass from said electrical energy source and through said actuating means of said first relay when said main switch and said spoiler switch are closed; a second relay, said second relay having substantially no delay period and comprising switch actuating means and a switch, said actuating means of said second relay being connected with said actuating means of said first relay, said switch of said second relay and one of the switches of said first relay being connected together in series and with said release switch and said normally open switch of said latch release switch; a third relay, said third relay being a time delay relay with a switch and switch actuating means, said actuating means of said third relay being connected between said release switch and said normally closed switch of said latch release switch the switch of said third relay being connected between said source of electric energy and the other switch of said first relay, said other switch of said other relay being connected between said switch of said third relay and said actuating means of said first relay; the delay period of said first relay being selected so that current flowing through the actuating means thereof from said spoiler switch will cause said relay to be actuated before the time an unauthorized person could be expected to close said spoiler switch, the time delay of said third relay being comparatively long; whereby when said main switch is closed said spoiler switch can be opened before the switch of said first relay is actuated so that said release switch can then be closed to permit energy to pass to said normally open switch of said latch release switch; through said one switch of said first relay and said switch of said second relay, but where, if said spoiler switch is not opened before said first relay actuates, said release switch can be closed to energizE the actuating means of said third relay, so that, eventually said switch of said third relay will open to discontinue current flow through the other switch of said first relay to the actuating means of said first relay so that said one switch of said first relay closes to permit energy to pass from said release switch to said normally open switch of said latch release switch.
 2. The security system defined in claim 1 wherein said switch actuating means of each of said first, second and third relays is a coil.
 3. The security system defined in claim 1 further comprising a security switch connected between the switch of said second relay and said normally open switch of said latch release switch.
 4. The security system defined in claim 3 further comprising a signal generating device connected on one side to said other switch of said first relay and on the other side to the actuating means of said first and second relays in parallel.
 5. The security system defined in claim 4 wherein said signal generating device functions by emitting sound.
 6. The security system defined in claim 5 wherein said source of electric energy is a battery.
 7. The security system defined in claim 6 wherein said release switch and said spoiler switch are rotary switches which can be operated only by rotating a knob to a correct position. 